And so, it seems only a snoozing 2-year-old or a torrential downpour can stop Clay Buchholz.

Making his first start in 11 days, Buchholz breezed through five innings last night, giving up only two hits and blanking the New York Yankees. But as the Red Sox were batting in the sixth, a thunderstorm interrupted the game for 37 minutes, bringing an end to Buchholz’ night and ultimately the game.

Credit the Sox with a victory, 3-0 over the Yankees in a game that finally was called after a second rain delay in the sixth inning. And credit Buchholz with a complete-game shutout, the fourth of his career, even though he had to record only 15 outs to get it.

“It’s awesome,” Buchholz said after improving to 8-0.

Of course, the same adjective is being used to describe Buchholz, whose 1.62 ERA is the best by a Red Sox pitcher through his first 11 starts of a season since Pedro Martinez’ 1.44 mark in 2001.

Buchholz hadn’t pitched since May 22 in Chicago because of irritation in a joint near his collarbone. According to Buchholz, the injury resulted from nodding off with his sleeping daughter in his arms.

“That’s the explanation,” manager John Farrell said with a shrug.

If not for the resulting soreness, Buchholz would have pitched last Monday in Philadelphia. After the Red Sox pushed him back to Friday, they decided to give him two more days of rest and match him up last night against Hiroki Kuroda in the finale of the three-game series.